The
figures are generally good in comparison to other areas in the
Borough. Operation Dark Nights is now
underway which provides advice for staying safe and protected
during the winter months.

Car crimeGMP has received several reports of
tyres being slashed in Milnrow and
Newhey. It is believed to be an
individual carrying out the attacks.
The Police don’t think the person is local and the motive is
unknown.

Quad bike nuisanceThe Police confirmed that
they had received two reported incidents during the previous two
months. There are no immediate
solutions for this issue, however, residents are encouraged to
report every incident as it helps the Police to build a picture and
it also helps to direct Police resources.

Speeding Kiln LaneThis is a matter that is regularly raised at the
forum; it is a concern for the local community. The Police don’t have the resources to
enforce the speed limits on every street. It was discussed that determining the speed limits
in the area would be helpful.Action 1: Pursue a speed survey via RBC Highways
(Tracey Knight)

PCSOsA resident asked whether GMP still have PCSOs as
they don’t appear to be as visible as they have been in the
past. It was explained that whilst
there has been some staffing issues and reductions, PCSOs are still
active in the community and continue to be the eyes and ears for
the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

BurglaryDetails were given about a recent
local burglary that had taken place.
The Police apologised for the lack of follow up since the
incident. The resident was reassured
that the correct action will now be taken.

Possible abandoned carConcern was expressed
about a car that appears to have been abandoned near to Harbour
Lane. The Police advised that if an abandoned car is a danger to
the public they have the powers to remove, which isn’t the
case with this car. The forum was
advised that the Council’s Community Safety Officer was
dealing with this matter.

No Right Turn on Ladyhouse
LaneIt was reported that a number of vehicles, during
peak times, have been witnessed queuing to turn right into
Ladyhouse Lane which is
prohibited. Whilst the Police
understand the community concerns in reality they do not have the
resources to enforce the traffic order at this
junction. The Council has previously
looked into this issue and it is thought that the work was too cost
prohibitive.Action 2: Revisit the scheme details and costs at
Ladyhouse Lane (Tracey
Knight)

Nick Robert (Transport for Greater
Manchester)- TfGM’s responsibility
is to provide bus services that are not met by the commercial
market; they do respond to needs where possible; there are
financial constraints; they are aware of the community passion
regarding local services; filling service gaps isn’t easy as
it costs money but they are committed.

Dwayne Wells (First Bus) – role is to develop
and enhance services; involved in the Oldham network review; the
181 and 182 services are currently being looked at.

Issues raisedQ. Will the 58 be changed to an
hourly service?
A. It was recognised that there has been some issues with the
frequency of this service which has sometimes been due to traffic
issues across the network, however, it was confirmed the service
will remain as a half hourly service.

Q. There are concerns that the community is being ‘cut
off’ rather than being ‘joined up’. Residents are struggling to get to local hospitals,
not just for appointments, but some also work there.
A. Officers at TfGM are aware of this concern which has been raised
previously with them by Ward Councillors. Options are being looked at. First Bus are also looking at the reliability of
services with a view to making the bus network more
dependable.

Q. Why was the 182 bus withdrawn?
A. It wasn’t generating enough income to cover the costs of
operation. As a commercial operator,
First Bus has to match supply to demand; there was too much local
competition.

Q. Residents expressed their concern that drivers do not account
for all passengers, which distorts figures and gives a false
representation of data and use of the service. There is concern that buses have been withdrawn for
this reason.
A. This is a common observation but it isn’t the only data
set that is used when making operational decisions.

Q. Residents asked how long will the 451 and 462 continue to run
through the estates. These are smaller buses that are deteriorating
and it is understood that First Bus have no plans to purchase any
more of these size of vehicles.
A. This is a TfGM contracted service which stipulates it is
operated by a smaller vehicle. When put
out to tender it may be First Bus that bids for it along with other
suppliers, but the specification of the contract will have to be
delivered.

Q. Why do the surrounding areas, out of the Rochdale Borough,
appear to have a much better inclusive service?
A. First Bus and TfGM agree that the local services could be
improved.

Q. Why are so many buses late or don’t appear at all.
Drivers don’t adhere to the
timetables and are repeatedly setting off early from bus
stops.
A. Timetables are an approximate time and they are often subject to
change due to a number of influences out of a driver’s
control. If a driver is witnessed
departing early from a timing point, please report it.

The
minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a correct record,
apart from the following correction – Sgt Martin clarified
that GMP are able to chase quad bikes if the level of risk permits.
Each individual case is assessed and
any action taken is risk proportionate.

Action 1: Quad Bike intelligence on social
mediaDue to privacy settings, GMP are unable to access some social media accounts.
Anyone with information is encouraged
to report it.

Action 2: Firgrove Playing
Fields responsibilityThe land
was granted to Milnrow Urban District
Council on 15 November 1934.

Action 3: Local Bus ServicesRepresentatives
from TfGM and First Bus attended the meeting.

Action 4: Grounds maintenance on Hawthorn
LaneThe land is the responsibility of Rochdale
Boroughwide Housing (RBH). The area was inspected by RBH Grounds Supervisor
and they confirmed the area averaged a cut every 12 working
days.

Action 5: Garages and land at the rear of Rochdale
RoadResponse from Estates – ‘We are aware
that Firgrove Playing Fields’
garage site is misused, but this occurs more in the evenings and at
weekends when we are unable to inspect it. When we find vehicles parked on site during our
routine inspections we do put notices on these, however, we
don’t know if the vehicles belong to tenants who have simply
left their vehicles out of their garages.

The rents for the plots are the same for all garage tenancies and
any change in these would need to be approved by the Trustees of
Firgrove Playing Fields.

Action 6: Renewal of road markingsHighways
confirmed the work on Smith Hill won’t be extended to include
Pennine Drive.

Road markingsArequest was
made for the road markings at Egremont
Road, Elizabethan Way and Beechfield
Road to be repainted as they are barely visible. There is concern the lack of stop and give way
markings will cause an accident.Action 5: Request areas are inspected and any
actionable defects carried out (Tracey Knight)

Lorry parkingArticulated lorries are parking on Station
Road overnight taking up three or four car park spaces.Action 6: Establish if these vehicles are permitted to
park in this area and take the necessary action if not (Tracey
Knight)

Railway Street parkingA resident reported a high volume
of vehicles parking on Railway Street when either using the library
or visiting the nearby school. The
street cleaning vehicle is unable to clean the area because of the
parked vehicles, and they were also in the way of the clean-up that
should have taken place following the recent floods. Residents asked whether they could have a
residents’ only parking scheme.Action 7: Establish if the area meets the criteria for
this scheme (Tracey Knight)

Bins on Rochdale RoadA resident reported that a number of
bins are being continually left out and not returned to properties
when they have been emptied.Action 8: Report to Environmental Warden and request
site visit (Tracey Knight)

Metrolink Car ParkA resident
asked when the Metrolink Car Park on
the former Coral Mill site would be ready. Councillors advised that this wasn’t part of
the planning application; however, the Council is looking at
alternative local sites.